To ensure the Virtual Factory Foundation Sprint is as productive and impactful as possible, a comprehensive set of digital assets and data are needed to kickstart the process. These materials provide the essential foundation for configuring the SaaS platform to align with the metalworking company's specific requirements. Here's a complete list of the digital assets required, along with a short descriptions for each:
Metalworking Company's Current Articles Export (Excel)
A comprehensive Excel file containing a list of the metalworking company's current articles. (Raw materials).
Metalworking Company's Current Customers Export (Excel)
An Excel document that includes an export of the metalworking company's customer database.
Technical Specification of Each Resource / Machine
A document outlining the technical specifications of each (outsourced) resource or machine used in the metalworking process.
Examples of Recent Metalworking Quotes
Recent metalworking quotes provided by the company, including the CAD files and engineering drawings that were used to prepare these quotations.
Examples of General/Legal Terms, Documentation and Corporate Identity
Documents or files containing examples of general and legal terms typically used during the metalworking quoting process. This includes terms and conditions, warranties, and any other legal considerations relevant to customer contracts.
Examples of Reference Estimations
A set of reference estimations that cover different levels of complexity.
Current Excel Sheets Used for Estimations
All Excel sheets that are available and currently used for estimations, including any templates or calculation sheets used in the metalworking quoting process.
Examples of 3D CAD Models
3D CAD models, provided in various formats (e.g., STEP, JT, NC1, etc.), for both single parts and assemblies.
Examples of 2D CAD Models (DXF / DWG)
2D CAD models in DXF and DWG formats, which are commonly used in metalworking processes.
Engineering Drawings (PDF)
PDF files containing engineering drawings related to the metalworking process.
Below is an in depth explanation of the list of digital assets needed for the onboarding.
1. Metalworking Company's Current Articles Export (Excel)
A comprehensive Excel file containing a list of the metalworking company's current articles. (Raw materials). Mostly an export from the current ERP system you are using. This list / export needs to include;
Article Code
This code is an unique article code. This code is used to match article descriptions and prices for import.Description of the article
The description of the article needs to contain the following;Geometry
Material Group
Material Quality
Dimensions and / or Trade Lengths
Purchase price per unit
Prices per unit. Units we use within Quotation Factory are; gr, kg, ton, pieces, mm, m, ich, yard
Scales / staggered prices
Below you can find the empty import file to fill in. There is also an example file added based on the MCB article catalog with example descriptions which work correctly in the quotation factory article analyses.
Empty Article Export File:
20240325_Articles_QF_Empty.xlsx
Articles Example File:
2. Metalworking Company's Current Customers Export (Excel)
An Excel document that includes an export of the metalworking company's customer database. This export should contain the following customer information:
Company Codes / Debtor Numbers
Unique company codes / debtor number(s) that are used within your company. When you are using an ERP system (and plan to establish an connection), these numbers will be used to match when information.Company names
Company names / descriptions that are used internally within your company.Address and contact details
Details like Chamber of Commerce Numbers, Street, House number, Zip Code, City, Country Code(s), CountryName, VAT-number, VAT-Ratio, Phone, General Company E-mail, Language Code(s)Customer Segmentation data that can provide insights into customer preferences and behaviors
Details like customer segments, and information on how customers are treated commercially based on the segmentations (For example: Discounts, Surcharges, Specific Manufacturing / Processing rules)
In addition to this you can already think about customer-specific or customer group-specific requirements for a quotation that deviate from the standard (We can later on use this information to determine rules or exceptions in calculation to further automate the quoting process).
Below you can find an empty import file to fill in. One example line is filled in. All the yellow columns in the import file are mandatory information for the system to work. All non-yellow columns are additional information and can be left open if the information is not available.
Empty Customer Export File:
20240325_AddressBookTemplate_QF_Empty.xlsx
Customers Example File:
3. Technical Specification of Each Resource/Machine/Manufacturing Step
A document outlining the technical specifications of each (outsourced) resource or machine used in the metalworking process. This information should include;
Manufacturing Step
The Manufacturing Steps that need to be calculated within the Quotation Factory Platform.
Machine brand and Type
If there are systems / machines that are used for the manufacturing step. We should receive information about the machine brand and type that is used for this specific manufacturing step.
Technical Configuration details and Technical Possibilities and Limitation
If these systems have configuration details that needed to be taken into account when calculating, like: For example with an Laser Cutting system, we need information about the Max. Power, Bed Size, Possible Automation, Laser source type (CO2 / Fiber).
Parameters and Technology Tables
In the case of Sheet Laser Cutting and / or Tube Laser Cutting, Technology Tables / Parameters of the Machine Manufacturer are wanted, to tailor the estimator(s) to your specific system. Please add a list of material type and thickness combinations that include a reference to the Technology Tables. Also include the Technology Tables in the data transfer to the Quotation Factory Customer Succes Team.Calculation definitions (rules and calculation factors you consider in your current quoting process)
To have an correct overview on what manufacturing steps you want to calculate within Quotation Factory and to have an good overview on the specification of these manufacturing steps, there are two documents added below to fill in.
Template File Manufacturing Steps:
20240325_List_Manufacturing_Steps.xlsx
Template File Machine and Workstep Specifications
20240326_Machine_and_Workstep_Specifications.xlsx
4. Examples of Recent Metalworking Quotes
Recent metalworking quotes provided by the company, including the CAD files and engineering drawings that were used to prepare these quotations. These examples serve as a reference to configuring the SaaS platform and to compare expected outcomes quickly and efficient.
5. Examples of General/Legal Terms, documentation, and corporate identity
Documents or files containing examples of general and legal terms typically used during the metalworking quoting process. This includes terms and conditions, warranties, and any other legal considerations relevant to customer contracts.
Company Logo
Company logo in high quality to be shown on the platform and quotation template.The logo should be supplied in a .PNG format.
Quotation Template(s)
A .PDF file of a quote (s) how your customer is used to receive the quote so Quotation Factory can configure the offer templates and other messages, so we can create the same feeling on the platform for you and your customers. If you want to use specific headers and footers within the Quotation Factory Quotation Template, please add these file as separate files.Document(s) and File(s)
Documents or files containing examples of general and legal terms typically used during the metalworking quoting process.
6. Examples of Reference Estimations
A set of reference estimations that cover the different levels of complexity of quotation requests you encounter within your company. Also add an percentage those specific types of cases you These should include:
A set off simple geometries with basic working step estimations.
A set off medium complexity geometries with intermediate working step estimations.
A set off complex geometries with advanced working step estimations.
7. Current Excel Sheets Used for Estimations;
All Excel sheets currently used for estimations, including any templates or calculation sheets used in the metalworking quoting process. These are essential for configuring the SaaS platform's estimation capabilities.
8. Examples of 3D CAD Models;
3D CAD models, provided in various formats (e.g., STEP, JT, NC1, etc.), for both single parts and assemblies. These models are crucial for accurate estimations and visualization within the SaaS platform.
9. Examples of 2D CAD Models (DXF & DWG);
2D CAD models in DXF and DWG formats, which are commonly used in metalworking processes. These files are essential for precise estimations and compatibility with the SaaS platform.
10. Examples of Engineering Drawings (PDF);
PDF files containing engineering drawings related to the metalworking process. These drawings should provide detailed information about parts, assemblies, and specifications, supporting the estimation process within the platform.
Transferring Data Onboarding Preparation Sprint 1 - "Become Consistent" to Customer Success Team.
Underneath we have added an example folder set-up for you to transfer your data to. When all data is added, this folder can be zipper and it can be send to: [email protected].
Template Example folder
Example Folder Structure.zip
Attention: the requested data needs to be supplied to Quotation Factory Customer Success Team one week before the start of the onboarding. If this data is not supplied in time, this can lead to postponing the onboarding to a later moment in time.